Apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to an advancing cylinder



Dec. 20, 1960 J. A. PHARRIS ET AI. 2,965,068

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUID ADHESIVE TO AN ADVANCING CYLINDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1957 Dec. 20, 1960 J. A. PHARRIS ET AL 2,965,068

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUID ADHESIVE TO AN ADVANCING CYLINDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1957 N EHL 2 orzzegs J. A. PHARRIS ET AL 2,965,068 APPARATUS FOR APPLY LIQUID ADHESIVE TO AN ADVANC CYLINDER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 20, 1960 Filed Oct. 9, 1957 4 59 5545 44 45 '1 T 5 Hill C) 28a Z I 4/ 45 J' /J8 a nited APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LIQUID ADHESIVE TO AN ADVANCING CYLINDER Filed Oct. 9, 1957, Sen No. 689,129 6 Claims. 01. 118-404) This invention relates to apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to an advancing and rotating continuous cylinder, in order that a cover material may be adhered to the cylinder surface. This application is a continuationin-part of allowed copending application, Serial No. 443,888, filed July 16, 1954, by the present applicants, jointly with Vern T. Touchett and Adolf Kluge issued November 5, 1957 as Patent 2,812,007.

There are quite a number of industrial applications for a device which is capable of adhesive-coating the entire surface of a continuous cylinder as it is advanced and rotated; one such application being to prepare the cylinder surface to receive a cover material in the continuous production of paint roller covers or the like. Patent 2,812,007, above referred to, discloses machinery for automatically advancing and rotating a continuous cardboard tube, or core, through successive operations in which it is adhesive-coated, spiral-wrapped with a pile fabric cover material, and cut into predetermined lengths which may berecut into paint roller cover lengths. The present application isdirected to the adhesive applying mechanism disclosed in the abovepatent, and to a modification of saidadhesive applying mechanism.

The present adhesive applicator functions by moving the entire continuously advancing and rotating core bodily through an open passage which is in direct communication with the bottom of an adhesive pot, so that the core essentially passes through an adhesive bath and acts as the only sealfor preventing adhesive escaping from the bath. At the entrance side of the bath the core passes through a close fitting sealing ring, while at the exit side it p asses through a serrated extruding die which leaves an uneven layer of adhesive upon the core. The extruding die is rotated at the same rate as the advancing and rotating core, so that the adhesive surface is striated longitudinally with respect to the core.

In order to accommodate the extrudingdie to variations in core diameter. due to irregularities inmanufacture, the die consists of a plurality ofradially movable die segments which are spring-urged into engagement with the cylinder or core surface. Preferably the extruding die segments are individually mounted and urged by individual springs, to: compensate for lack of perfect roundness of the cylinder or for variations in the die structures. It is also preferred to smooth out the adhesive surface with suitable brushes which are positioned adjacent the path of the cylinder, or core, after it leaves the extruding die.

The invention is illustratedin a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a continuous paint roller cover making machine equipped with the adhesive applying apparatus herein disclosed;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal central sectional view through the preferred adhesive applicator and extruding die;

Fig. 3 is is a section on a reduced scale taken sub- 2. stantially as indicated along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with parts of the extruding die case broken away;

Fig. 4 is a section on an enlarged scale taken substantially as indicated along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing the adhesive distributing brush assembly;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken substantially as indicated along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing an alternative form of extruding die; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken substantially as indicated along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and referring first to Fig. l, a continuous paint roller cover making machine includes a supporting frame A; a drive mechanism B; feed means including a positive core feeder C1 and a frictional cover stock feeder C2; an adhesive applying apparatus D; a cover strip feed E; a cutter unit F; and a control mechanism G for the cutter unit F.

Cylindrical cardboard tubing T is fed continuously into the positive drive mechanism C1 where it is picked up by needle drive rollers 10 which rotate around the longitudinal axis of the tube T and which also turn on their own spindles 11 so as to simultaneously advance and rotate the continuous tube T, as describedin detail in Patent 2,812,007. From the needle drive rollers 10 the tube, or cylindrical core passes through the adhesive applying apparatus D, which is the subject of the pre ent invention.

Apparatus D includes an upright adhesive pot 12 which is supported on a leg 13 on the base frame A, and as seen in Fig. 2, a transversely extending adhesive delivery throat 14- connects the adhesive pot 12 with an ad hesive applying well indicated generally at 15. The well 15 has two parallel walls 15a provided with aligned circular openings 15b forming a continuous bore, and a rotary carrying head 16 mounted in said bore is screwed onto the outer end of an infeed pipe 17 which is an extension of the positive core feeder C1 and rotates with the needle drive wheels about the longitudinal axis of the tube T. The carrying head includes a cylindrical body portion 18 which is entirely open in linewith the mouth of the adhesive delivery throat 14 except for a pair of connecting webs 19. The carrying head 16 is rotatably positioned in the bore of the adhesive applying well 15 by means of a pair of clamping rings 20 which flank the parallel walls 15a of the well, and at the entrance side of the extruding head is an annular flange 21 to accommodate a neoprene seal 22 through which the continuous cylinder or tube T passes. At the exit side of the carrying head 16 is an extruding die assembly, indicated generally at 23. The mounting for the die assembly 23 includes a pair of spacer rings 24- and 25 and a mounting plate 26 which are secured to the face of the carrying head 16 by bolts 27. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the extruding die assembly includes a face plate 28 which has an annular flange 29 surrounding the mounting plate 26 to which the face plate is attached by means of attaching screws 30, and a circular exit opening 28a. The rear of the face plate 28 has a continuous recess 31 which occupies the entire area within an annular internal wall 32; and mounted within the recess are six die segments 33 which are radially slotted as seen at 34 to receive guide pins 35 which project rearwardly from the face plate intothe recess. Each die segment includes a guide portion 36 which containsthe radial slot 34; and a die tooth portion 37 which is seen in Fig. 3 to have an inner end portion 38 which has a concave toothed face 39 bearing upon a segment of the cylinder, or tube T.

are substantially in abutment with one another so that between them they enclose the entire circumference of the tube T.

In order to maintain the die segments 33 in firm engagement with the tube the periphery of the face plate 28 is provided with bores 41 the inner ends of which have retained shoulders 42 to receive the inner ends of headed pins 43; and said pins are urged into contact with the die segments 33 by compression springs 44 mounted in the bores 41 and adjustable by means of screw caps 45.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, after the forward end of the tube T has been extended entirely through the extruding die 23, the adhesive pot 12 may be filled with a suitable adhesive, such as a latex material L. All of the tube T in the adhesive well 18 becomes immersed in the adhesive L, so that the entire surface receives an excess of adhesive; and as the tube is advanced and rotated by the positive drive head C1 the teeth, or serrations on the inner ends of the die segments 33 remove excess adhesive and leave a coating having parallel ridges such as the ridges L1 and L2 of Fig. 2. Since the extruding die 23 is supported upon the infeed pipe 17 which is an extension of the rotary toothed driving head C1, it is clear that the extruding die rotates at the same rate as the tube, so that the ridges of adhesive L1, L2, etc., extend longitudinally of the tube.

Referring now to Fig. 1, immediately adjacent the extruding die 23 is a smoothing brush assembly, indicated generally at 46, which is supported upon its own leg structure 47 bolted to the base frame A. As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the smoothing brush assembly 46 includes a face plate 48 having a central tube receiving opening 49 through which the tube T passes from the extruding die 23. A fastening ring 50 is impaled by three screws 51, and acts as a clamp for six radially extending and adjustable brush members 52, the inner ends of which have soft bristles 53 in contact with the surface of the cylinder or tube T. The brush members 52 are stationary, and thus the rotating and advancing action of the tube T causes the brushes to spread the adhesive L quite uniformly over the entire outer surface of the tube. Thus, the tube is provided with sufiicient adhesive to properly secure a strip of cover fabric S; but at the same time the layer of adhesive is thin enough that it does not squeeze between the adjacent lays of the spirally wound cover strip S, nor does it seep through the fabric backing of the cover strip and into the pile surface.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a simplified. construction for the extruding die assembly. In Fig. 6 the throat 14 and the adhesive applying well 15 are exactly the same as in the first form of the invention; as is also the rotary carrying head 16 on the outer end of the extension sleeve 17. The assembly also includes the same body portion 18 which is open in line with the mouth of the adhesive delivery throat 14 except for the connecting webs 19; and the mounting of the carrying head is accomplished by clamping rings 20 as in the first form of the device. There is also a neoprene seal 22 which cooperates with the tube T to prevent leakage of adhesive out of the well.

The entire difference in the device of Figs. 6 and 7 resides in the construction of the extruding head, here indicated generally as 12. Spacer rings 124 and 125 and an outer support ring 126 are screwed to the face of the carrying head 16 by four threaded studs 127, each of which extends through a segment 128 of the extruding die which is slotted at 129 to receive a stud 127. The slots 129 extend radially of the segments, so that the seg ments may move radially to bring toothed inner margins 130 into contact with the outer surface of the tube T.. The die segments 128 are provided with aligned circumferentially extending channel portions 131 which extend entirely around the four die segments so as to form a continuous peripheral channel in which is mounted a. garter spring 132 which urges the toothed inner margins;

of the die sections into resilient contact with the outer surface of the tube T, as seen in Fig. 7. Thus, the extruding die assembly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, accomplish broadly the same result as the extruding die assembly of Figs. 2 and 3', but has no provision for individual die tension adjustment.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to an advancing and rotating continuous cylinder, comprising: an adhesive pot having an adhesive applying well in its lower end, said well having aligned circular openings in two walls; a carrying head extending through said well and rotatably mounted in said openings on a horizontal rotational axis, said head including an infeed pipe at one side; retaining rings on the carrying head which abut the outsides of said two walls; a flexible annular seal within said head adjacent the infeed pipe to make sealing engagement with a cylinder which extends through said pipe and projects from the opposite side of said carrying head; an extruding die assembly secured to the side of said head opposite said pipe and surrounding said cylinder: a plurality of radially movable die segments in said extruding die assembly which have arcuate, serrated inner ends embracing the entire circumference of the cylinder; and resilient means in said assembly urging said serrated ends firmly against the cylinder.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the carrying head has a planar annular surface, and the extruding die assembly includes a mounting plate screwed to said surface, a face plate having a shouldered annular flange by means of which the face plate is supported on the mounting plate to provide a recess between said plates, the die segments are mounted in said recess, and the resilient means are mounted in the face plate.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the carrying head has a planar annular surface, and the extruding die assembly includes a plurality of threaded studs screwed into said surface parallel to the rotational axis of the carrying head, spaced inner and outer rings having holes through which said studs extend, a plurality of die segments in the space between said rings, said segments having radial slots to permit radial movement on the studs, and a garter spring surrounding the segments.

4. Apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to an advancing and rotating continuous cylinder, com rising: an adhesive pot having an adhesive applying well in its lower end, said well having aligned circular openings in two walls; a carrying head extending through said well and rotatably mounted in said openings, said head including an infeed pipe at one side; retaining rings on the carrying head which abut the outsides of said two walls; a flexible annular seal within said head adjacent the infeed pipe to make sealing engagement with a cylinder which extends through said pipe and projects from the opposite side of said carrying head; an extruding die assembly secured to the side of said head opposite said pipe and surrounding said cylinder; a plurality of radially movable die segments in said extruding die assembly which have arcuate, serrated inner ends embracing the entire circumference of the cylinder; resilient means in said assembly urging said serrated ends firmly against the cylinder; and fixed soft brush means surrounding the cylinder adjacent the extruding die assembly to smooth adhesive remaining on the cylinder after it leaves the die.

5. Apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to an advancing continuous cylinder comprising: an adhesive pot having in its lower portion a pair of side walls having aligned entrance and exit openings at opposite sides of a well portion'of said pot which is between said walls; a resilient annular seal supported in said entrance opening to sealingly embrace a cylinder advancing through said well; an extruding die assembly supported in the exit opening coaxial with said seal, said die assembly including fixed annular plate means surrounding an advancing cylinder, said plate means having a pair of spaced parallel walls defining the faces of an internally open annular recess; a plurality of radially slotted coplanar die segments mounted for radial movement in said annular recess, said die segments having arcuate serrated inner ends embracing the entire circumference of the cylinder; a plurality of guide studs extending into said recess, each stud impaling one of said radial slots; a compression spring radially aligned with each guide stud and pressing against a die segment to urge its serrated end firmly against the cylinder; and a screw threaded into the plate means bearing on each spring to adjust the pressure of the spring on the segment.

6. In apparatus for applying liquid adhesive to an advancing cylinder, an extruding die assembly comprising: fixed annular plate means adapted to surround an advancing cylinder, said plate means having a pair of spaced parallel walls defining the faces of an internally open annular recess; a plurality of radially slotted coplanar die segments mounted for radial movement on said plate means, said die segments having arcuate serrated ends against a die segment; and a screw threaded into the plate means bearing on each spring to adjust the pressure of the spring on the segment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 203,583 Bradt May 14, 1878 1,727,929 Berssenbrugge Sept. 10, 1929 2,257,432 Smith Sept. 30, 1941 2,287,589 Wilson et a1. June 23, 1942 2,299,523 Carpmail Oct. 20, 1942 2,331,983 Kaiser Oct. 19, 1943 2,346,697 Munzall Apr. 18, 1944 2,610,607 Isenberg Sept. 16, 1952 2,723,647 Mason Nov. 15, 1955 2,784,696 Mason Mar. 12, 1957 2,812,007 Touchett et al Nov. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 606,675 Germany Dec. 7, 1934 

